AboutMike Pawul Expertise I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay
Experience I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.
Organizations Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band,
River Cities Concert Band,
University of Louisville Community Band,
Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN),
Bugles Across America (BAA),
Education/Credentials I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.
Awards and Honors Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.
Question QUESTION: 53 year old starting back on trumpet. Played 10-1/2c 4th grade thru high school. layed off for several years then started back up about 1995 and went to larger mpcs playing in local orchestras, symphonic band and shows. Play F. Besson 92BA Bb made by Kanstul, Blessing C, and Yamaha 231s flugel. After a few years off starting again (more free time). Would like to get back into orchestral/symphonic band playing and also interested in classical as son is in second semester in college majoring in classical guitar performance and music technology/recording. Interesting side note...my son graduated high school at 16 with honors and got into the music school at Duquesne University at 16. He got me more interested in classical...as I wish to accompany him on some of his pieces plus I love the concertos by Hayden, Hummel etc... I used to play exclusively on Bach Megatone 1-1/2c and enjoyed the tone and volume. Especially through the Besson which I love. Starting back now I think I might be better off going slightly smaller rim for better and easier high register. Own following mpcs. Bach megatone 1-1/2C, standard: 3C, 5C, 7, and 10 1/2C. Also have Stork VM6, Denis Wick 1W, Zottola 67A, Schilke 11, also have a screw rim Bach 3B with standard rim and Zottola rim threaded to screw onto it along with a custom made cup/shank similar to 3c but made slightly shallower also threaded for above rims. I used to play a Bach 180-37 with reverse lead pipe that I traded in on the Besson. The Besson slots much better and gives a fatter sound for the type of playing I was doing. I have always used the round tuning slide for freer blowing...is that what I should use at this time? I loved the sound I got with the bach 1-1/2c and am wondering if I should just bite the bullet and work on building up to it again...or back down in size a bit (3c maybe) till ready for larger. I do like the variety available on size 3. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Brad, Congratulations on coming back to trumpet and working to improve over the last few years. I am not sure why you would want to play some of the Hummel and Hayden on Bb. Depending on the piece you would want to use C, Eb, D, or a piccolo trumpet. If you feel good with the 1 1/2 then stick with it. But maybe look into what pieces you want to play and check out another horn to see what it plays like with them. The 1 1/2 is a big piece and takes a lot of the high register sound away. It will never play bright but that isn't what it was designed for. The 3C is a better all around piece and will give you some brightness over the staff. You can also use a 3E if you want to get to the upper range easier. However, I don't ever suggest changing mouthpieces just to gain range! Rather it helps to get the sound you want by changing the depth but keeping the same rim type.
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QUESTION: Mike, thanks for your advise. I used to play the 1-1/2c for the type of playing I did...was a lot younger then too and had more. I have been playing Hummel and Hayden on Bb as that is the music I have. I don't have any other option at this point other than my Blessing C. Would that be an improvement to the Bb on these pieces. I also want to play Canon in D which I'm playing on my C to accompany my son on guitar. My 3c mouthpiece is actually a Blessing. Is it up to snuff with a Bach 3C? I gotta admit I like the Zottola but I don't think they're around anymore so I'd rather adapt so something still made. I practiced today with the Zottola which has a rim diameter similar to the Bach 3 and I did find it was easier for me in the upper range. I've only been back to playing for a few weeks and at least with the Zottola the high C above the staff was fairly comfortable even after practicing for about 45 minutes. Do you suggest I buy a 3c and a 3e? Also curious about your opinion of my horns. Gotta admit I love my Besson. Do you Any suggestions on which tuning slide I should be using at this point? round...or square?
Thanks so much for your help. It is greatly appreciated.
Answer Good news for you...Zottola is still made by Dick Akwright in Oakland. He was the maker for Doc Severenson for several years. He bought the specs for Zottola and Parduba and started making them again. You can look him up at http://users.rcn.com/rakright/
If you want to experiment the 3C and 3E would be good to start with. The Blessing should be very close to the Bach in size and feel.
Use your C for the Canon and most other classical pieces. I wouldn't suggest you change any slides until you have been playing again for about a year. That will give you time to develop a feel and routine to your current ability. The Besson is a good horn.
